Photographer's Note

Secrets behind the wall:

Mandalay 700 km north of Rangoon was the Royal city of the Burmese until it fell to the British in the 2nd Anglo-Burmese War of 1885. The British annexed Upper Burma and exiled the last Burmese King to India, where he died in 1916. His old Palace, 1.5 miles on each side and surrounded by a fresh moat that dominating the city, became the British military and administrative headquaters and christened the complex Fort Dufferin.

The name Fort Dufferin was used until well after the Brits left in 1947. The Japanese ocupied Mandalay in 1941 after burning much of the city, and remained until driven out by the Allies in 1945. The Palace was destroyed in the last battle for the city in 1945. The Fort is now a Burmese Army base and much more interesting are the old British barracks still in use, the lively Garrison life, an abandoned narrow guage railroad track, a rusted collection of WWII cannons and the extensive Japanese bunkers that are intact and likely in use as storehouses and the like now.

This close up was taken across the moat and exposed on the foreground.

Hello Abmdsudi,
the rising sun provides beautiful background for the scene and create also very nice mood.Love the silhouettes of the palm trees against such lovely,warm colors of the sky.Your presentation of this scene is first class.The quality as well as well as framing are superb.Well done!
Best regards
Krzysztof

Hello Abmdsudi,
This is a beautiful photo which gives me rather nostalgic memories of daylight returning after a tropical night. The high palms rise majestically against the blue, yellow and purple evening sky. Along the moat darkness still makes it hard to notice the two persons walking by the old wall. I can imagine the quiet atmosphere, only disturbed by a few mosquitoes,
Kind regards,
Gert

A dreaming place and a beautiful moment to take so well the magic atmosphere,i like your exposure to create this nice effect whit the palms silhouettes,great details too.I wish you all the best for the new year and thanks,Luciano

Hi Abmdsudi,
fantastic sunrise in delicate creamy colors! I like the strong contrast with the black palm trees too. And the two women seen at such an early hour add liveliness to this peaceful scenery. Wonderful work!
Have a fabulous 2013!
Marina

Hi Abmdsudi,
The palms are beautifully silhouetted against the colourful sunset sky. The wall and moat are dark and also provide a kind of silhouette. You have wisely included some persons to add life to the scene. The sunset colours are excellently captured!
Happy New Year
Gunnar

Hello Abmdsudi.
A wonderful composition with this beautiful group of palm trees, offering us his beautiful silhouette, in a backlight ideal, against the background of a sky charming with these dominant tones of pink.
A composition that conveys the essence of relaxation and the wonders of nature.
Well done.
Have a nice weekend.
Best regards.
Luis.

Hi Abmdsudi,
A beautiful shot no doubt, the colours are superb, and the trees being slightly off centre is beautiful. I also like that the woman in purple brightens up the lower right corner very nicely! Your note adds a lot more to the image as well, to think of the history that this place has seen, the warfare and the destruction. Strange to image in such a beautiful scene as this.
Best wishes for the new year!
Noel

Hi Abmdsudi,
the light and the pink tones of the sunrise give us a peaceful scene full of beauty, in which the silhouettes of the palms are outlined on a very photogenic sky, while the wall of the Fort and the water in foreground add a good three-dimensional sense.
My best wishes for you and your family in the New Year!
Josep

Greetings.
Very interesting and good article on the site, the given data.
Nice view of the wall and the trees ...
A good time recording, contrast, beautiful color.
Good composition, nice wall shown.
All the best for the new year.
Good luck.
Paja.

Hello Abmdsudi,
a very unusual and very charming scenery especially with the soft colours and strong shadows of the evening. There's a captivating sense of mystery and tranquility in the atmosphere enhanced by the simplicity of the composition and the quiet rhythm of its lines. The decision to maintain a critical balance between light and darkness was audacious but successful as it has rendered this view unique and special. Congratulations and thank you!
All the best and warmest wishes for a great 2013 full of Love, Health and Joy!
Ourania

Ya another dramatic image for Asia! The best suitable shot to present the ending of this year. Very impressive and gorgeous image as your taste as usual. Thank you for your sincere support and kindness to me in 2012 and have a greatest new year for you!

Hello Abmdsudi,
nice the colourful first light of the day over fort Dufferin,with the lot of palm trees to outlined perfect against the sky.I like this beautiful scene with the pastel colours to make the image even more effective.

I wish,to you and your family a wonderful, peaceful and prosperous New Year,Danos

Impressive capture and composition with the silhouettes of the palm trees against the beautiful sky
Like also you managed to show the water and almost lost two people at the right
It must be very early, I suppose, the best hour to take photos, few people and no hurried at all
Congrats and TFS

Wish you a new year plenty of happiness and travels and good photos for us to enjoy
A big hug

Hello Abmdsudi!My best wishes for you and your family in the New Year!
Very nice colours and silhouettes, very impressive photo, very atmospheric, with a beautiful feeling! Great composition and framing, outstanding light management, wonderful colours! Top quality photo
Congratulations!
Georgios

Hello Abmdsudi
Like the effect of the silhouetted tall palm trees beckoning at the crimson coloured sky. Another important part is the FG with the shine & colour. Close observation reveals two persons walking by the wall...they provide good idea of the scale. Lovely work!
Wishes to you & your loved ones happiness, good health & love
Best Regards
Angshu

Hi Abmdsudi,
very peaceful composition. None would expect such a turbulent history behind it. Your note is very useful as always. I like the all natural light with the palm trees silhouettes set against a beautifully colored sky.
Excellent work!
M

Hi Abmdsudi,
you are presenting a fantastic impression of the moat and a very beautiful and poetic composition. The gentle light and the moody colors are also very fascinating. My compliments also for the notes!
I wish you a happy and a magical New Year!
Warm regards
Harriet

I think you have captured the 'essence' of sunrise - this is the best part of it, where the yellowish, pinkish and orangish hues fill the sky, and you have managed to merge these colours with the pale blue sky of the early morning. The trees form an interesting silhouette - altogether the composition is very lovely and soothing! A great presentation of the fort at sunrise !